Israeli drone company, High Lander, is promoting its autonomous drone system, Orion, to American police departments. Orion, already in use by the Israeli national police and Israeli settlements, can automatically launch police drones to the sites of suspected crimes. The software system allows users to direct multiple drones at once, turning them into “next-generation security guards.” The capabilities of Orion are impressive, as it can release cargo, relay live video feeds, identify and search for people or objects using AI and thermal sensors, and make announcements over loudspeakers. High Lander has been encouraging other police agencies to check out Orion through its pilot program in Louisiana.
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana has tested the Orion system multiple times through “mock scenario testing.” The demos were conducted at the sheriff’s range facility and have not been used in the community. High Lander collaborated with Stephenson Technologies Corporation, a Louisiana nonprofit working with the Department of Defense and Homeland Security, to bring Orion to East Baton Rouge with funding from the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation.
Critics argue that the export of Israeli security tech to the United States contributes to the militarization of the police. Lou Blumberg, an organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace and Eye on Surveillance, expresses concern that tax dollars are being used to support technologies that are then used on American citizens, making them more unsafe. Blumberg also highlights the connection between Israeli tech and human rights abuses due to Israel’s apartheid policies.
In East Baton Rouge, High Lander integrated the Orion drone platform with the city’s gunshot sensors for testing by the sheriff’s department. The city uses ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection technology that has faced criticism for racist bias and inaccuracy. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office has a history of mistreating and harassing people of color, raising concerns about its use of Orion.
The head of training at the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, Carl Dabadie, participated in a police training program in Israel and promised to bring his learnings back to the local community. Dabadie has defended the department’s militarized tactics and law enforcement. He left the police department after facing criticism for his handling of protests over the police killing of Alton Sterling.
Protesters and civil rights groups have sued several police departments and officials, including Dabadie and East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux III, for violating their civil rights during the 2016 protests. Concerns have been raised about the sheriff’s department’s track record and its use of an autonomous drone system without clear safeguards to protect residents’ rights.
In Israel, High Lander’s business has thrived during Israel’s war on Gaza. The company became the first approved unmanned traffic management system in Israel, allowing civilian drones to return to the skies. High Lander’s co-founder, Alon Abelson, describes Orion’s capabilities, including deploying hundreds of PTZ cameras for surveillance purposes. The company has provided the system to hundreds of settlements throughout Israel.
Overall, the promotion of the Orion drone system to U.S. police departments raises concerns about the militarization of the police and the potential for human rights abuses. The history and actions of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office add to these concerns, as does the use of Israeli security tech in surveillance and control. Clear safeguards must be in place to protect the rights and safety of residents.
